The Cincinnati Bengals’ star receiver was sent east, the running back attracts trouble and the guy rookie QB Andy Dalton was supposed to learn from retired rather than return to the team. And to make matters worse, the young man received his “welcome to the NFL moment” in his first preseason game when Detroit Lions super-defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh got a hold of him.

The Lions/Bengals preseason matchup seemingly pitted two teams heading in two different directions and the 34-3 outcome seemed to support such. With the season still in its infant stages, Cincy looks to be in for a headache inducing campaign with inexperience at the most important position on field. That is, unless, Dalton can muster a Sam Bradford like season. Pending that happens, the Steelers and Ravens always rank as the division’s gatekeepers to the postseason promised land. Even Cleveland appears to be building hope with a young Colt McCoy and Mike Holmgren led organization.

The Lions, on the other hand, look poised to be on cusp of shaking years of futility highlighted by their legendary 2007-2008 season for all the wrong reasons. Maybe not NFC Championship or Super Bowl worthy just yet, but pending Matthew Stafford can stay healthy and that defense gels the way so many in the Motor City are praying, the NFC North could be in for a shoot out. And with Suh already in the ranks of top five scariest players in the league category, what he did to Dalton in this picture may be a regular occurrence like we predicted last year.

Watching Ndamukong spread destruction to opposing signal callers is great and a hopeful inspiration to rookie Nick Fairley. Pending those two can live up their billing as a tandem, we football fans are in for a treat. Then again, with that being said, it’s all fun and games until it’s your team’s starting quarterback that’s German suplexed by this freak of nature.